Physical Therapist

Where You’ll Work

Founded in 1941, Dignity Health - Dominican Hospital is a 188-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Santa Cruz, California. Serving over 80,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including heart care, orthopedics, and a Family Birthing Center. Additionally, Dominican Hospital has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and has been awarded the AMA/ASA’s Get the Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to providing the best stroke care.

One Community. One Mission. One California

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Physical Therapist, you will help patients rebuild or maintain their physical wellbeing so they can function at their best level, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life. Every day you will perform initial evaluations, develop and update individualized plans of care, and provide a variety of direct treatments. You will be expected to consistently meet patient care productivity standards, collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and families, and promote a positive customer service environment. To be successful in this role, you must possess strong age-appropriate competency skills, excellent communication abilities, and a collaborative, patient-centered approach to care.

Utilizes the AIDET principle to communicate with others, with a focus on patients and their families.

• Acknowledge Introduce Explain Duration Thank. Exhibits behaviors that ensure patient loyalty.
• Introduces self by giving name and purpose
• Is polite and courteous in communications
• Listens and responds with respect and empathy
• Anticipates patients and visitors needs
• Uses appropriate verbal/body language
• Ensures that patient/family has had appropriate explanation by asking if there are any other questions.
• Always thanks the patient and family for their participation and time.

Actively promotes teamwork within the rehabilitation process. Facilitates effective intra- and inter -departmental relations to ensure employee engagement.

• Demonstrates professional relationships with all staff members.
• Displays warm welcome to patients, coworkers and visitors
• Offers assistance during down time i. e. no shows
• Provides an accurate and informative hand off to the next care provider
• Delegate within the team according to skill level and patient load.
• Answers call bells and other patient requests quickly & graciously
• Checks-in with Staffing Captain to ensure that all unit and patient needs are met.

Demonstrates problem solving skills and effective communication to ensure high quality care.

• Participates in and encourages open and continuous communication in an effective, courteous and timely manner with all care providers, family members and patients.
• Uses appropriate communication in appropriate areas and appropriate times.
• Demonstrates effective conflict-resolution techniques.
• Reacts appropriately to problems, and initiates problem-solving behaviors.
• Assists team members to ensure that problems are resolved.
• Seeks appropriate assistance when needed.
• Evaluates the outcomes of actions, and modifies approach as needed.
• Offers and is open to constructive feedback to promote the quality of patient care and hospital operations.

Acts as a resource and / or role model for student, intern, contract and other therapy staff.

• Supports and orients new staff /volunteers so they are made to feel a part of the team.
• Provides feedback to promote excellence in care
• Mentors other staff as appropriate to ensure team development.
• Behaves in a dignified and professional manner

Actively promotes professional development, and promotes a positive image of therapy specialty:

• Maintains ethical standards established by professional affiliation.
• Maintains knowledge of current therapy issues/practices, and changes in health care delivery.
• Assists in the development and presentation of in-service programs to hospital associates, family members and/or community organizations.
• Attends annual skills day.
• Takes responsibility for own career development.
• Actively participates in evaluation, planning and development of programs within the Physical Therapy Department as well as Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy programs.

Demonstrates personal responsibility and stewardship.

• Attends mandatory training/in services in timely manner and as scheduled. Effectively participates in all appropriate meetings.
• Demonstrates ability to organize, prioritize and direct own work.
• Meets department determined patient contact hours per day.
• Takes initiative to manage personal efficiency.
• Participates in flex off/call off to ensure that department productivity is met.

Job Requirements

Required

Bachelors Other Physical Therapy, upon hire or

Masters Other Physical Therapy, upon hire or

Doctorate Of Science Physical Therapy, upon hire and

Physical Therapist: CA, upon hire and

Basic Life Support - CPR, upon hire

Preferred one year experience as a physical therapist in physical disabilities setting, preferably in acute care or acute rehab.